Time to clean out your evaporator box

[Steve Graham]

Had our first 100+ day the other day and found that in spite of having the AC serviced, it just wasen't putting out the cold air I thought it should. Having spent it's parked time near a giant pine tree, here's the results. Full of pine needles. I'm sure if you park near any tree you can expect the same results after 20 years.

 

[Steve Graham]

Here's the proof.

 

[sdstriper]

That sweet pine smell... Or, Do you smell smoke?



Heh, heh. Years ago on my old Ford the resistor caught a pile of leaves etc on fire in there. I dumped a bottle of windshield washer fluid down there and it went out. I immediately went and bought a fire extinguisher for every vehicle I owned.

 

[RWWinslow]

I clean my evaporator box out every spring . . it is amazing how much gets into them. . . . . .

 

[KOG]

Gee, my evaporator doesn't seem to have that handy little door for cleanout. And somehow it had neve occured to me to make one. I have actually taken out dashes at times to clean the things. Why do I feel sort of like an idiot for having done that?

 

[MXTMOPR]

Lots of junk in there!

Yep get in there!!!

 

[Steve Graham]

I'm going to check it again, end of the season. When cleaning it out first time I could reach in and up, but not back. The air route is a "U" shape and my arm dosent bend that way. Evenually the stuff on top will find it's way to the evaporator.

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

Mine was 3/4s full of the same kind of pine needles when I did mine. I covered the hole with a piece of clear Lexan so I can see when it needs to be cleaned.



Bob

 

[csnider]

Mine was 3/4s full of the same kind of pine needles when I did mine. I covered the hole with a piece of clear Lexan so I can see when it needs to be cleaned.



Bob

good idea!. . i have a "panel" on both my trucks but i'm definitley going to try the see-thru option...

 

[Sri Ram]

Could someone detail what they've done to create a "clean-out" for the evaporator? I want to do this, but don't want the evap exposed when I'm done. And, what about the "screen" behind the vent on the right? Is it paper or foam or what, and is it needed?

 

[sdstriper]

Dodge Ramcharger Central - Cummins Diesel - Ram Truck - Power Wagon - Trail Duster - 4X4 - Plymouth - Chrysler - Mopar

 

[Sri Ram]

Yeah! That's perfect. Thanks, SD.

 

[Steve Graham]

Here's how I finished it, quick and simple. Anything more is over kill IMHO.

 

[sdstriper]

I agree on the overkill Steve! I like the idea of Plexi or Lexan too.

 

[Sri Ram]

With the heating and cooling controls in the 'off' position, the louver-vent-thingy is open. I can see the evap clearly and it looks clean. Lucky me! :-laf I guess I'll save this project for some other time…

 

[DieselBuzz]

Wow, I love that first picture Steve!

 

[RWWinslow]

Yes, it may look clean from that view point but you will in all likelihood find significant collections of pine and fur needles in the bottom of the box and this really hurts the cooling.

 

[Sri Ram]

RWWinslow, I assume you mean me. I suppose it won't hurt to have an access door there. So, I'll cut it open anyway and let y'all know what I find.

 

[KJMiller]

If pine needles and leaves can get in there, then can water also get in and wind up on the floor? Could that be some of the problem with a wet floor board on the passenger side?



KJM

 

[RWWinslow]

On the engine side of the firewall there is a drain for the evaporator box. If it is plugged you can get a wet carpet inside the cab of the truck. This drain is needed when the A/C unit is operated in a humid environment - the air conditioned air will release its moisture and the water needs to be drained out of the evaporator box.